(Revised March 2004)

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Related Link
•  Dealing with a Broker-Agent

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Table of Contents
Don't Get Burned by a Scam Artist

Check Them Out

Public Adjusters

Attorneys

Hiring a Contractor

Help Combat Insurance Fraud

Contacting the Contractors State License Board

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Don ’t Get Burned by a Scam Artist
A disaster leaves more than torn shingles and uprooted lives in its wake.  The winds also can blow in armies of fly-by-night contractors and door-to-door scam artists eager to capitalize on the misfortunes of innocent people.

After a loss has occurred, you will be facing many problems you probably have not confronted before.  It may be helpful to keep the following in mind:

• Contact your insurance company immediately to report your loss.  Follow the instructions given to you by claims personnel. Ask questions if you do not understand your adjusters instructions.  Since there may be a lot of people needing help at the same time, anything you have done before the disaster to prepare for a loss will be to your benefit now.  From the beginning, keep a log of the names of the people you speak with along with dates, times, and a summary of the pertinent points of each conversation.  
• Act prudently to prevent further loss to your property.  Insurance policies may not cover ensuing damage to your property if you have not taken reasonable steps to protect against subsequent property damage.
• Take pictures documenting damages.
• Do not rush into repairs or rebuilding without first considering all your alternatives.   Before choosing a contractor, make sure the contractor is licensed by contacting the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) in your area. Call the CSLB at 800-321-2752 to check a contractor’s license or get further information on home and property repairs.
• Tr y to settle your claim directly with your insurance company before hiring a public adjuster or an attorney.  Your insurer provides an adjuster at no charge to you.   Ask your insurance agent or company representative to help you with your claim, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.  If you decide to work directly with your insurer, you still have the right to hire a third-party professional (public adjuster or lawyer) to help you.
• If you hire a public adjuster to help you with a claim, be certain that the adjuster is licensed.  Call the California Department of Insurance (CDI) for licensing verification and for other information about public adjusters. Call the State, County or other local Bar Association for information about a prospective attorney.  Public adjusters and lawyers will usually require a percentage of the claim settlement for their services.  It is important that you understand what services are being provided and the fees that will be charged by both adjusters and lawyers.  Ask your friends, relatives, or business associates for the names of well-regarded professionals in your community. 
• Do not call anyone to repair or replace your loss without first getting instructions from your adjuster, since your insurer’s visual inspection of your loss may be necessary before repairs begin.  Do not throw away damaged property until your adjuster advises you it is all right to do so.

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Check Them Out
Public awareness and education are the keys to helping those affected by disasters to identify and avoid future problems.

Deal only with licensed contractors. Ask to see the contractor’s "pocket license," together with other identification.  If the person claims to be representing a contractor, but can’t show you a contractor’s license or home improvement salesperson registration card, call the contractor and find out if the person is authorized to act on the contractor’s behalf.

Get the contractor’s license number and call the CSLB’s toll-free automated telephone number at 800-321-2752 to verify that the license is valid, or log onto the Internet and access their Web site at www.cslb.ca.gov for the information.

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Public Adjusters
Call the California Department of Insurance to verify a Public Adjuster’s license.

License Bureau:. . . 800-967-9331    or  916-322-3555
Hotline:. . . . . . . . . 800-927-4357   or  213-897-8921
T.D.D.:. . . . . . . . . .800-482-4TDD

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Attorneys
California State Bar Complaint Responsibility
The State Bar investigates complaints involving possible misconduct by attorneys in the handling of a client’s legal affairs.   If warranted, the State Bar conducts hearings and may issue admonitions or reprovals to attorneys, and may recommend to the California Supreme Court the suspension or disbarment of lawyers found guilty of serious misconduct.

The State Bar also sets standards for lawyer-client fee arbitration programs operated by local bar associations and conducts arbitration in areas where no local programs exist.

California State Bar
Complaint Hotline:. . .   800-843-9053
Main Office:. . . . . . . .  180 Howard Street
                                  San Francisco, CA 94105-1639
                                  415-538-2000
Branch Office:. . . . . .   1149 S. Hill Street
                                   Los Angeles, CA 90015-2299
                                   213-765-1000

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Hiring a Contractor
After a disaster, sales people often go from door-to-door canvassing neighborhoods to generate new business, offering their cleanup and repair services.  While many of these people are honest and reputable, some are not. Below is a recommended list of steps to take in order to protect yourself as a homeowner from unscrupulous operators posing as legitimate contractors:

• Call the insurance adjuster assigned to your property damage claim and ask the adjuster to make an estimate of the damage and the probable cost to repair. This will provide you with a benchmark estimate prepared by a professional that you can use when negotiating with contractors.
• Check all references when considering a contractor, especially if the contractor comes to your door and offers to do repairs.  Inquire about the contractor’s professional reputation by talking with banks, building material suppliers, the contractor’s previous customers, the Homebuilder’s Association, and the Better Business Bureau. Also, be sure to use only reliable, licensed contractors.  Call the CSLB to verify all licenses.
• Don’t be rushed into signing a contract with a contractor.  It is a good practice to collect many business cards, interview several contractors, and request multiple bids for comparison.  Make sure to read the fine print on all estimates and contracts.
• Beware of building contractors that encourage you to spend a lot of money on temporary repairs.  While payments for reasonable temporary repairs are covered as part of the total insurance claim settlement, you don’t want to pay a contractor too large a sum for temporary repairs, since this may deplete the total amount of money you will need for the permanent repairs to be completed.
• Hire local licensed contractors when possible, as it is easier to deal with a local contractor if problems develop.  However, since it may not always be possible to deal with local contractors in a disaster situation where local contractors are swamped with repair business, make sure to thoroughly check references as discussed in point number two.
• Get everything the contractor discusses in writing.  Make sure that the contract is well written.  If the contractor provides guarantees, they should be written into the contract clearly stating what is guaranteed, who is responsible for the guarantee, and how long the guarantee is valid.  Also, if changes or modifications occur in the contract terms, they should be acknowledged by all parties in writing.
• Never sign a contract with blanks that have not been filled in.  Unscrupulous contractors may fill in the blanks later with unacceptable terms.
• Consider having a lawyer review the proposed contract for your protection before you sign if substantial costs are involved.
• Never pay a contractor for the entire project in advance or before the work is completed.  California law requires that the amount of the down payment for any one improvement project, other than for construction of a swimming pool, may not exceed $1,000.00 or 10% of the contract price, excluding finance charges, whichever is less. It is a good idea to pay by check instead of cash because you can retain your cashed check as a receipt.
• Be especially suspicious of door-to-door sales people who make unrealistically low estimates, refuse to leave a contract overnight, or try to sell their services by playing on your emotions.
• Remember that Federal law requires a three-day "cooling off " period for unsolicited door-to-door sales of more than $25.00.
• If you decide to cancel a signed contract, it should be cancelled within three business days of signing.  Be sure to follow the agreement stated in the cancellation clause of the contract.  Written notification should be sent by registered mail, so you have proof of canceling the contract.
• Ask the contractor if he/she carries general liability and workers compensation insurance.  Request a certificate of insurance (COI) from the contractor you choose that shows the name of the insurance company, policy number and policy limits the contractor carries.  You may contact the insurance company directly to verify information on the COI. Do not do business with a contractor who does not carry the appropriate insurance coverage.  If the contractor is not insured, you may be liable for accidents that occur on your property.
• Keep a job file containing all papers related to work being done.  This file could include the signed contract and any change orders; plans and specifications; bills and invoices; canceled checks; certificates of insurance; lien releases from subcontractors and material suppliers; a record sheet on each contractor listing the work performed; the estimated length of the job; and any letters, notes, or correspondence of any kind with the contractor.
• If excavation work is being performed, such as sewers or basement walls, make sure a building inspector or observer inspects the work before it is hidden from view. An independent assessment may help avoid similar problems from occurring in the future by identifying problems now, allowing needed modifications to be made before construction continues.
• Unfortunately, delays happen in construction projects.  Although you may clearly understand the terms of your contract, the contractor may experience  circumstances (such as weather) that prevent the construction work from remaining on schedule.   This is just a normal part of a construction project.

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Help Combat Insurance Fraud
The most common fraud that occurs in the aftermath of a disaster generally involves price gouging, offers of debris removal, and fraudulent charitable solicitations. Because property loss from a disaster can be so traumatic, victims of disaster can become easy targets for fraud.  It is important to keep a sharp lookout for people who try to play on the emotions of those stricken by disaster.

If you suspect fraudulent activity after a disaster, or at anytime, then please contact:

Fraud Division Intake Unit
Post Office Box 277320
Sacramento, CA 95827-7320

Regional Office	Address	Zip
Benicia	1100 Rose Dr., #100	94510
City of Commerce	5999 E. Slauson Ave.	90040
Fresno	4969 E. McKinley Ave., #204	93727
Morgan Hill	18425 Technology Dr.	95037
Orange	333 S. Anita Dr., #450	92868
Rancho Cucamonga	9674 Archibald Ave., #100	91730
Sacramento	9342 Tech Center Dr., #500	95826
San Diego	1495 Pacific Hwy., #400	92101
Valencia	27200 Tourney Rd., #375	91355

Back to Top Contacting the Contractors State License Board

The Contractors State License Board has publications that can help you identify and avoid problems before they occur.  Some helpful brochure titles include:

"What You Should Know Before You Hire a Contractor"
...provides information about hiring and working with contractors.

"Home Improvement Contracts Putting the Pieces Together"
...provides answers about the legal requirements of home improvement contractors.

For a free copy of these publications call the Contractors State License Board at 800-321-2752, or log on to their Web site at www.cslb.ca.gov

Mailing Address:    P. O. Box 26000
                           Sacramento, CA 95826

Public Adjusters
Public Adjusters are licensed by the California Department of Insurance.  To verify a Public Adjuster’s license call the California Department of Insurance at:

800-927-4357
213-897-8921
T.D.D: 800-482-4TDD

To call the License Bureau direct
800-967-9331
916-322-3555

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